Creating Textures shows you how to build custom textures in Photoshop and put them to work in 3D modeling programs. In this installment, author Adam Crespi takes you through the steps needed to create realistic wood patterns.

The time-honored art of mosaic is updated in this book for the modern scroll saw craftsperson. The book provides patterns to create realistic wildlife mosaics that showcase the natural beauty and grain of wood. Included are 16 wildlife patterns in varying degrees of difficulty that capture big cats, mountain and plains animals, and birds of prey. The first three projects are in step-by-step format to develop basic skills while the remaining projects have a level of instruction that includes challenging techniques. Instructions for each pattern include enlargement dimensions, size and thickness of wood to use, gluing and sawing details and staining/finishing advice. The book also contains a section on tools, materials, blades, and working with patterns, along with detailed instructions for crafting a wood frame to fit the finished project.

The wildlife patterns featured in this collection represent animals from around the world. As well as patterns, information on choosing the best blade, wood, and technique with which to create a work of art is provided. Readers will learn how to create patterns from their own photographs—allowing them to make scroll saw portraits of their loved ones. Tips on finishing, framing, and displaying finished pieces rounds out this woodworker’s reference.